The Arakelots Monastery and Settlement site in Armenia’s Tavush Province have been included in the 2025 list of Europe’s 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites, as announced by Europa Nostra—the leading pan-European network for cultural heritage—and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute.
According to a press release from Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport (MoESCS), the nomination for including the Arakelots Monastic Complex and village site in the “7 Most Endangered” program was submitted with the support of the Ministry and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences. The application was initiated by Dr. Jasmin Dum-Tragut, head of the Armenian Studies division at the Center for the Study of the Christian East, University of Salzburg, Austria.
The Europa Nostra Board selected the final 7 winners from a shortlist of 14 monuments and heritage sites, compiled and endorsed by the program’s advisory panel. Nominations for the 2025 edition were submitted or approved by members of Europa Nostra and the European Heritage Alliance.
The 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe for 2025 are:
Arakelots Monastic Complex and Village Site, Armenia
Nyborg Castle, Denmark
Castle of Monemvasia, Greece
Great Synagogue of Orla, Poland
Modernist Main Post Office Headquarters, Belgrade, Serbia
Valhalla Bathhouse, Gothenburg, Sweden
Victoria Tower Gardens, London, United Kingdom.
Hidden within the forests of the Tavush region in northern Armenia, the Arakelots Monastery and Settlement is a gem of medieval heritage. This ensemble of religious and secular monuments located two kilometres west of the Acharkut village, along the Kirants River, provides invaluable insights into the cultural and economic life of the 13th century. Its remote setting, coupled with its proximity to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, underscores its historical and geopolitical significance.
The monastery, fortified with imposing ramparts and watchtowers, features the main church, a unique domed hall adorned with delicate architectural details, and an adjoining narthex with a traditional Armenian “hazarashen” roof structure. Notable among its treasures is a fresco of Saint Sargis, a rare depiction of the Armenian saint, reflecting the monastery’s dedication to Armenian Apostolic traditions. The remnants of the settlement include a pair of churches, a caravanserai, an oil mill, and the Sranots Bridge, which collectively narrate the story of a vibrant medieval trade hub on the Armenian Silk Road.
Arakelots flourished under the Georgian Zakarian and Mongol rule, benefiting from its exemption from taxation as a monastic estate. This symbiotic relationship between the religious and secular domains fostered prosperity and left a remarkable legacy of Armenian-Georgian cultural influences. Despite its historical prominence, the site has been abandoned since the 17th century, remaining largely unexplored.
Today, the Arakelots Monastery and Settlement faces significant threats. Encroaching vegetation, structural decay, and climate-related hazards, including excessive rainfall and mudslides, jeopardize its preservation. Additionally, the area’s location in a seismically active zone has left its monuments vulnerable, with visible earthquake damage to key structures. Human-made impacts, such as graffiti and the construction of two large picnic areas and a lack of formal conservation, further exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, the presence of large bat colonies in the monastery creates a need to balance cultural heritage preservation with wildlife protection.
Proposed actions include holistic research, cleaning and conservation of the Arakelots Monastery and Settlement, alongside the development of sustainable ecotourism. Local stakeholders, including academic institutions and civil society organizations, are integral to these efforts. Educational initiatives and trail improvements aim to reconnect the local population with this forgotten medieval treasure heritage, fostering pride and appreciation for the region’s cultural identity.